This Issue: Southeast Construction in 2005
In
a discussion with several consultants at Kimmel & Consultants,
the Newsletter learned that the Southeast market in construction
is verging on a boom, with mixed-use and condominium construction
highlighting a region-wide surge in building and, consequently,
an urgent need for talented and experienced middle- and senior-level
project managers. Hear what the consultants say about their market:
Alan
MacNair, Consultant to Commercial Building: Several
factors have come together to create a real surge right now in
the Southeast. First, the Baby Boomers are aging, and we’re just
moving into the beginning of an era when their demands will dictate
a lot of what is being built. The other influence weighing in
is that the developers are spending their money now that interest
rates are low. And developers are at the top of the food chain,
because they have the money and they start the projects that
in turn create business for the construction companies. Construction
is going to boom in Florida, and in areas like Myrtle Beach and
Charleston, S.C., and Asheville, N.C. that are attractive to
this large group of retirees. The Baby Boomers want retirement
homes and second and third homes, and supply & demand requires
that the developers and construction companies, in turn, build
those resorts and condos and mixed-use buildings and health-care
facilities. This squeeze is going to drive up land prices and
will also heighten the battle for the top builders, the qualified
Project Managers and Assistant PMs and Estimators, because everyone
is going to want in on the hot segments of the market – condos
and hospitals – and so those who know how to build them are going
to be a hot commodity. Salaries are jumping; since November,
the salary for these qualified PMs and APMs I’m talking about
has jumped 10%. Companies are really going to have to think about
what they need to do to retain their best people, because every
company wants the same thing, the same people.
Greg
Raxter, Consultant to Commercial Building: I’d
say that the market for General Contractors in the Southeast
is, tentatively, on the up-swing. One indicator that companies
feel optimistic about the business climate is that every last
one of them could use a good solid Project Manager or Senior
PM. There is lots of work, lots of clients scrambling for these
solid PMs who have some longevity and versatility. It’s a great
time to be a PM who wants to better him- or herself. There’s
no doubt that the dominant trend right now, and I suspect for
some time to come, is going to be condos and mixed-use development.
The mixed-use is invariably a retail and condo mix with a parking
deck.
Calvin
Allen, Consultant to Heavy Civil: Site development
seems to be booming. Interest rates are down and developers are
acting on that; that leads to lots of work for site contractors.
Site Contractors are having to turn work away because they can’t
find enough managers; it’s the same in Heavy-Civil work as in
the GC world; Project Managers are highly prized right now. Outside
of site development, which is very healthy, everyone else is
waiting on the highway bill that’s tied up in Congress; if it
moves forward, it would free up money for DOT work. An interesting
trend I see is the desire for Design-Build work where the builder
takes on both the engineering and building role, which hasn’t
been as common in Heavy-Civil as in GC. Also, there are Southeastern
states that are considering toll roads where they have not been
before. North Carolina is thinking about making I-95 through
Eastern NC into a toll road.
Debbie
Eckart, Consultant to Commercial Building: Outside
of Nevada, Florida is the hottest market in the country. In many
other regions of the Southeast, building has been patchy, but
it’s picking up now. In Atlanta, for example, there is an upswing
in government projects and schools. There are many developers
moving forward on projects that they have been sitting on for
a while. Spending that money ripples out, of course, and helps
the private sector; because residential is growing, sub-divisions
are spreading, that means that retail is strong; lots of malls,
big box, restaurants, strip malls and gas stations. That creates
the biggest challenge in the industry right now: there are not
enough good people to go around. There are enough people around,
but not enough good people around. I think we’re going to see
bidding wars as salaries go up. The “first-round draft picks” have
become very coveted. It’s the old supply & demand element of
free enterprise: a building expansion requires stable, degreed,
sharp Project Managers. In turn, companies have to move forward
very carefully. Companies have spent years building their reputations,
and they have to have talented, experienced managers in place
to build these multi-million dollar projects. If they entrust
a project to someone who isn’t up to it, they can ruin their
reputation, lose millions, sink their company. The stakes are
high. Turning down work is sometimes the painful but only option
that can safeguard a company’s reputation. And you better believe
this means that companies are taking great care of their best
people, because they can’t afford to lose them.
Alicia
Sisk-Morris, Consultant to Mechanical/Electrical: The
Condo market is insane, driven by a desire for people to purchase
high-end 2nd and 3rd homes. South Florida is particularly active.
The larger Mechanical and Electrical contractors are still bidding
traditional commercial projects: hospitals, schools, retail,
so the smaller, specialty mechanical and electrical are expanding
as they take on the condo and mixed-use projects. Health-care
is growing as the population ages. I think the hard, snowy winter
in the Northeast is pushing some builders to the South. I have
many candidates calling me looking for positions in North and
South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The most desired professional
is a Senior-level talent, someone who can run a larger job, in
the $10M range and up.
Jerry
Wilkins, Consultant to Developers: The
market for developers and GCs has been really strong last few
months. Because interest rates have been low for the last year
and longer, developers feel safer about investing now and beginning
projects that have sat dormant for a while. The Condo market
is hot; some owners are even converting rental apartments into
condos. Florida is the strongest state right now, and developers
there are looking to put up mid- to high-rise condos. That means
there is a shortage of professionals who are able to tackle this
surge in building.
[top] |
The
job postings on our website and in our newsletter represent only
a partial list of searches that we are currently performing. New
searches arrive at our firm daily. We continually place professionals
in positions with the top construction firms in the nation in all
locations. Our network has the reach to place professionals like
you in positions that are never advertised. Please call 828.251.9900
or contact us by e-mail.
Click on the position title below to contact us.
LAS
VEGAS:
#67852
Project Manager
One of Las Vegas’s top builders is presently looking for a
Project Manager (2-5 years of experience as a PM) who is
looking to work with the best, on the best projects in America's
fastest growing city. Qualified candidates will be degreed with
commercial experience in retail, hospitality and/or healthcare.
Salary range $65-$85K.
WASHINGTON,
DC:
#68083 Project Manager
Dynamic General Contractor working in the Washington, DC Metropolitan
area is looking for the following positions: Senior Project Manager,
Project Manager and Project Superintendent. If you have had recent
experience in either Hospital/Laboratory projects or Tenant Fit-Out
experience requiring high-end finishes and would like to work
in the exciting and recession-proof arena of Washington, DC and
its suburbs, this is the opportunity for you. These individuals
must display stability in their work history and consistent growth
over the years. Tremendous career growth opportunity. Excellent
compensation packages represented by terrific salaries, excellent
bonuses, auto or truck allowance, 401(k) and profit sharing.
ATLANTA:
#68315
Project Manager
Water/Wastewater. The Project Manager will manage construction
of water and wastewater plants in the southeastern United States.
Must have experience managing multiple projects and managers, and
have built at least one project larger than $50 Million. Atlanta,
Georgia office location. Annual volume @ $75+ Million. Salary,
incentives, stock ownership.
MIDWEST:
#68546
Director of Preconstruction Services
One of the nation’s top GC/CM firms requires an executive with
strong customer relationship skills to organize and manage a new
Preconstruction Department in Corporate Headquarters. $500 Million
annual volume, with high percentage of negotiated work (~ $120
Million/yr) with established clients. Projects are primarily large
commercial, institutional, and health care facilities to $50 Million
in size. Must have leadership skills to build and manage an effective
team of estimating and preconstruction professionals. Current estimating
staff of 30+ are primarily hard money oriented. Background could
be in estimating, preconstruction, or profit center management,
in a negotiated GC or CM environment. Corporate Officer position.
Mid 6-figure salary, 100% bonus, excellent benefits, stock ownership.
College community, lakefront living.
»Search
more jobs
[top] |
Listed
below is just a small sampling of candidates with whom we are associated.
Your needs may be different; please do not hesitate to contact
us so that we can assist you with finding the right professional
for your organization. The Kimmel & Associates network has
the relevance, reach, and response to find the candidates who fit
your specific needs. Please call 828.251.9900 or contact us by e-mail.
ATLANTA,
GA:
#174596
Project Manager
A skilled Project Manager who has owned and operated his own General
Contracting company for years building retail projects in the $1-$8
Million range. Very client-oriented professional who seeks stability and
a chance to grow. Wants to stay in the Atlanta area.
ROCKY
MOUNTAINS:
#174827
Superintendent
Talented Superintendent and leader who has built apartment complexes
and multi-family up to $33M in value and is trusted as a professional
builder. She has been with the same company for the last 10 years
and is eager for a new challenge. Currently in Montana, and she
would like to stay in the Rockies, specifically Utah.
MID-ATLANTIC:
#175059
Preconstruction or large Project Management
This high-level manager has won commercial projects up to $455 Million. Project types include Distribution Centers, Stadiums, Airport Terminals, Courthouses, and Office Parks to name a few. Very detail-oriented estimator and outgoing, personable manager. Prefers to stay in the Mid-Atlantic area but would be interested in opportunities in the Southwest and Southeast as well.
SOUTHWEST:
#175290
Senior Project Manager
This talented Senior Project Manager has served 12 years building Hospital projects. Under his management, company profits in his arena increased more than 200%. Is ready to move to a Director position, leading several Project Managers in a Hospital Group. Wants to stay in the Southwest.
|
